Job Discussion Forums

MedellinHeel · Joined: 16 Jan 2014 Posts: 32

I will be getting my actual state teaching license this spring and unfortunately most of all the International School hiring will be coming to a close for Fall 14.

So I am preparing for the event in which I fail to secure a job teaching my content area in a International School, thus forcing me to go teach ESL again for 6-12months.

Seoul is an option but Id rather do Tokyo. With holding a teaching license and having some experience what would be my chances of finding a job in Tokyo?

If good chance, what would be the best course of action in getting said job?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

If your experience is in Japan then, in combination with your teaching license, I'd say your chances are very good. The obvious place to go is the ALT recruitment agencies. But you need to convince them that you intend to complete your 1 year contract, and that you know to hold your tongue when the Japanese Teacher of English orders you to do something stupid and counterproductive.

MedellinHeel · Joined: 16 Jan 2014 Posts: 32

Experience is only in Korea sadly. Guess I will give the ALT a shot regardless. Guess I better prepare myself to end up in Korea or China. Sigh...

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

From what I hear, just a license is not enough. Teaching experience with the license is what counts. At least two years if not more.

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

You should what the experience requirement is for International Schools in Tokyo. I think they all require about 3 years of classroom experience in public schools in your home country. (Check it - because you might come across an exception - but it's been my experience that they require experience...) But, your license would put you in good stead for looking to teach at a private high school or junior high school in Japan.

MedellinHeel · Joined: 16 Jan 2014 Posts: 32

Only the tier 1 schools enforce / require the experience and ive even heard of some hiring newbies. The lower tiered schools certainly have hired newbs before. Not sure how common it is but it happens. Regardless though they all list / say x number of years as a requirement.

Oh and guys I am talking about basic ESL jobs to hold me over until the hiring season for Fall 15 if I am unsuccessful in getting employment for Fall 14.

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

Ok thanks for the clarification MedellinHeel. I didn't know about the actually hiring practice versus what is advertised in the job ads at international schools in Japan in the Tokyo area. I guess "never say never" is a rule to apply here?

RM1983 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 360

Im not an expert on international schools, but think you'd stand a fair chance at it.

One question to everyone though, can you get a job at an international school from outside the country or would it be fairly sure that you'd have to be able to do an interview in person?

MedellinHeel · Joined: 16 Jan 2014 Posts: 32

nightsintodreams · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 558

Errrr... I don't quite understand some of these replies.

The way the poster's question read to me, it seemed like he was asking if his quals/experience would be enough for him to get a TEFL job in Tokyo, not a job at an international school.

If that was the question then my answer is yes, you should be able to get a job in Japan without much difficulty. By limiting yourself to Tokyo though, you are reducing your chances.

Why Tokyo? Why not other cities close to Tokyo such as Yokohama, Saitama or Kawasaki? Have you looked into other big cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe or Nagoya?

I think with your quals you should be able to get a TEFL job in Tokyo, but if you opened up to the idea of living in other areas, you'd obviously increase your chances.

MedellinHeel · Joined: 16 Jan 2014 Posts: 32

I need to have nightlife I enjoy. (hiphop/top40/r&b clubs with receptive women, also latin bars / clubs for salsa, bachata, and reggeaton)

I know Tokyo delivers on the above. Not sure about the other cities.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

jobs here.. its all about timing. doesn't matter what your creds are for the lower paying jobs. you will get passed over by an ALT dispatch company with a phd/MA in ed. if you are applying at the wrong time.. and at the right time, they hire everyone, french canadians, jamaicans, filipinos, nigerians.. all people with very bad accents.. who really should not be teaching. means you gotta be here to interview to be sure.. for the upper level jobs, even less of a chance.. non of these places care about you or your background essentially, only filling their contracts or whatever else they need to do to preserve/maintain revenue..

about nightlife, if your goals are truly to enjoy the different musical genres/activities you mentioned, you will be limited to tokyo/osaka. if your goals were to meet women (or men) I would tell you to not rely on bars and clubs, and hit the streets coz japanese are beautiful everywhere... you dont need roppongi groupies or large metro areas to get laid here.. unless they are your type. what you need is to not limit your options for job searching and grow a pair.. see "nampa"